Welcome to tonight's reading by Luci Tapahonso
as part of the "Poetics and Politics" reader series.
My name is April Petillo.
I'm a first-year PhD student in the American Indian Studies
program here at the University of Arizona.
And I'll begin the program by acknowledging
that we are on traditional Tohono O'odham land.
We are grateful for and honored by the sacrifices
that they have made so that we can attain an education
and make a living in this beautiful place.
Just so that you know, Poetics and Politics
is a class that examines continuing oral tradition
among Native Americans, as it is adapted in written form.
Offered only once over so many years,
the class challenges and gifts students the opportunity
to assist in presenting the community
with a series of readings by poets and authors who
share their stories, insights, and the benefit
of their perspective.
We are grateful for our fellow students, including
our GTA, Gavin; for the university president, Robert
Shelton; Dr. Jun Liu, head of the English department;
Dr. Joe Hiller, head of the American Indian Studies
department; and Karen Francis-Begay
of the president's office for their support of the series,
as well as the Poetry Center for offering this beautiful space.
I'll just mention-- and it's also listed on the poster
here--
that this is a continuing series.
I hope that you'll join us to hear Frances Washburn on March
2nd, followed by Leslie Marmon Silko on April 6th,
and Gerald Vizenor on April 16th.
For tonight, we welcome you to stay
after the reading for a book signing session over
in the bookstore, and refreshments afterwards.
And after all of that, I will introduce
the gentleman who's going to be doing
a blessing for us tonight.
His name is Derwin Begay.
He's from Tees Toh, Arizona.
He is of the Salt Clan and born for a Coyote Path,
originally the White Corn People from Jemez Pueblo.
His maternal grandparents are The Ones Who Wander Around.
And his paternal grandparents are the Red Cheekbone People.
Derwin is also a first-year master's student
in the American Indian Studies Law and Policy Program.